Filmed just six years before Duke Ellington’s passing and at the height of his creative power, the documentary film On the Road with Duke Ellington offers a rare and intimate portrait of one of America’s most influential artists. The film captures Ellington not only as a legendary composer and bandleader, but as a working artist on tour, revealing his wit, discipline, generosity, and deep connection to his musicians and audiences.
Following the screening, audiences are invited to a post-film discussion featuring Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington—director, choreographer, performer, and founder of The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts. Drawing from her personal family history and distinguished career, Ellington will share unique perspectives on the film and her grandfather’s artistic legacy.
